SHIPPING CONTAINERS / Sea Cans

[bdhsfz6]

I have decided that it is time to get a sea can on the property.

In the past 5 years, we have had a lot of changes here.
1) 3 kids graduated and moved out
2) we divided the house in half, upper and lower levels. we live in the lower level, tenants in the upper suite. Our unit is small.
3) that means the GARAGE (30 ft x 30 ft, double bay) is FULL to capacity --- keeping in mind that it contains things that we have gathered over many decades, our stuff, kids stuff, the contents of the entire house - compressed to half the space, along the way there are other items that were not ours ... from my late parents, a few items from friends, general storage etc (still saving and budgeting for a barn)
4) it's difficult to maneuver around everything, therefore difficult to sort / clear items - this is a gradual process, but we need SPACE to get things sorted, and TIME to then do it
5) recent unexpected development is now my aging / ailing father-in-law, and sister-in-law will be moving in, ... along with their stuff
6) I can't take it anymore - I need my workbench, my garage, a place or my wife's car, and space to move around and finish projects

Still working out the details, of location, site prep, budget for an item that was not yet being considered

Some specific things that are still being discussed re the container...
- needs to be water / wind / rodent proof ... I'm leaning towards NEW
- it can not be an eyesore, so it needs to be new, nice paint, good condition ... wife will be happier with that option
- prices are high for either new or used, better deals with longer containers
- rental for a few months is a temporary solution, a better long term option is to purchase one
- my friend can deliver it (that's what he does), but he is limited to 20 ft containers with his equipment
- I was thinking 40 footer, and I have a good connection for a NEW 40 ft, High Cube container (or 20 ft container, at about 75 % of cost), value is the 40 ft
- ultimately, when I land one on the yard it will probably be in the wrong spot. Location options are limited (and there may be a need to find a spot for a live in travel trailer in the same proximity ... for the outlaws, family)
- I'm thinking that a container is good for long term needs, so it's not a temporary storage fix, it will always be useful on the farm

So, although I want to purchase a new, 40 foot High Cube container ($8500), and have the best location for a one time placement, I will probably need to think the opposite ... a 20 foot container ($6750), rented for now ($150 / mo), and able to reposition if needed, by my friend for a couple hundred bucks. Transport alone for a 20 ft can was over $600 Cdn, much more for a 40 ft.

so much to think about. Trying to think out loud.
cheers

As others have said, check your local zoning & tax laws before buying.

In my case, I looked at a container to ease the congestion in my two 40' x 28' pole barns. The delivered cost of a 40' container was close to the price of a new pole barn of similar size. I thought I could save on real estate taxes with the container but my county taxes ANYTHING not on wheels. As a result, I decided to wait until I could afford a third barn.

In the mean time, to ease the congestion, I bought three of these automobile service lifts to take advantage of all the vacant space above the things stored on the barn floor.

4-Post Car Lifts | BendPak Vehicle Lifts

BendPak four-post lifts use the best construction, material and technology. They also has the best safety features in the industry.

www.bendpak.com

The total cost for the lifts was slightly less than that of a container and provided more useable storage space. There were also no additional real estate taxes involved.

 

[marhar]

As others have said, check your local zoning & tax laws before buying.

In my case, I looked at a container to ease the congestion in my two 40' x 28' pole barns. The delivered cost of a 40' container was close to the price of a new pole barn of similar size. I thought I could save on real estate taxes with the container but my county taxes ANYTHING not on wheels. As a result, I decided to wait until I could afford a third barn.

In the mean time, to ease the congestion, I bought three of these automobile service lifts to take advantage of all the vacant space above the things stored on the barn floor.

4-Post Car Lifts | BendPak Vehicle Lifts

BendPak four-post lifts use the best construction, material and technology. They also has the best safety features in the industry.

www.bendpak.com

View attachment 735736 View attachment 735737

View attachment 735739 View attachment 735740

View attachment 735743 View attachment 735742

The total cost for the lifts was slightly less than that of a container and provided more useable storage space. There were also no additional real estate taxes involved.

Photo #2 is nice. It looks like several heavy attachments on the lift. It would be nice to back a tractor in, lower the lift and attach a bush hogg or a scrape.

 

[bdhsfz6]

It would be nice to back a tractor in, lower the lift and attach a bush hogg or a scrape.

I do this sometimes to attach the snow blower or brushog. Otherwise, I pick up the implement with forks and set it on a dolly which I then roll up to the tractor.

 

[scaredychicken]

Keep / Save / Use
Sell
Thrift
Toss

but in order to get through those steps, it needs to be sorted and organized
in order to do that requires Time and Space
easier to do when it is not winter, and the weather cooperates

 

[tradosaurus]

Keep / Save / Use
Sell
Thrift
Toss

but in order to get through those steps, it needs to be sorted and organized
in order to do that requires Time and Space
easier to do when it is not winter, and the weather cooperates

My motto which makes getting rid of stuff very easy is: "When in doubt, throw it out!"

 

[scaredychicken]

My motto which makes getting rid of stuff very easy is: "When in doubt, throw it out!"

If only I could afford to do that.
Most purchases were strategic and calculated, but circumstances have changed things unexpectedly, and quickly, so we are in a bit of an unanticipated scenario. Trying to make ends meet as best we can.
Disabilities, and one income. I waited 5 yrs for an insurance settlement, and that time nearly broke us.
My motto is that we keep it if we can still use it, and sell it if there is value but no need for it.

 

[oosik]

Like that BendPak lift system. Their web site has every type anybody could ever need.

 

[philnsherrylowe]

I am heading down the same path. As with everything today, containers have gotten much more expensive. I need storage out on our rural property along with a place to store the tractor. Loading and hauling it back and forth is a real pain, but I am not willing to leave it sitting out there in the open where someone might see it during the week and decide to "take a look".

I am planning 2 40'HC's with a 20' span between them and a 36' span roof over them. That gives room to park the tractor and stuff and secure storage out of the elements for other tools, etc. in the containers.

I want to build it in such a why that it can be disassembled and moved elsewhere on the property in the future. I intend to put a door in the side of at least one of them for easier access from under the cover. Once we build and get things settled, I am thinking it may get placed on the other end of the property and turned into a cabin for friends/family to come visit. At least that is the selling point that my better half has bought into..8^)

I was determined to get "new" 1-trip containers but prices are really making me lean toward the next lower category of "sea-worthy". I expect I will eventually paint them, etc.

Even with the higher cost of the containers, it really does seem to be the most cost effective and fastest way to get a building to meet our needs.

The vents are a great idea. It is pretty dry out here, but I had not thought about condensation.

Our land is open range land with junipers, pinions and cactus, so other than finding a solid place to put it and setting corner stones for the containers, space is not a problem. Still need a building permit, etc.

Just following up: Did you decide to go with the shipping containers for storage:

We are in Northwest Georgia and have considered purchasing a 40' shipping container to store our push mower, weed eaters, zero turn mower and Kubota tractor. Have read a couple of articles that advises against storing any type / amount of fuel in a storage container due to the high heat during summer due to risk of explosion. (even the small amount stored in fuel tank only)
Have you had any issues with this at all?
Before we purchase just want to see if this is working out for others and what type of ventilation will keep the temps at a safe level. Shipping container by far is the cheapest storage building we have found from research.

Thank you in advance for any insights, ideas or experience.

 

[ponytug]

For a host of reasons, vent it;
Clean air inside
Reduces flammable vapor build up
Reduces condensation and rust
Reduces mold
Slows the rotting of the floor (helps to get ventilation under the floor as well.)

I use marine solar powered vents; they are water tight even when level or driving rain. Just make sure that you have an air inlet (screened!) somewhere.

All the best,

Peter

 

[scaredychicken]

I am planning 2 40'HC's with a 20' span between them and a 36' span roof over them. That gives room to park the tractor and stuff and secure storage out of the elements for other tools, etc. in the containers.

very similar to my idea, I like it